Infant-supporting device



June 28, 1966 R. z. EZQUERRA INFANT-SUPPORTING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 18, 1964 RAYMOND Z. EZQUERRA ATT'YS June 28, 1966 z, EZQUERRA 3,258,291

INFANT-SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 18, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

RAYMOND z. EZQUERRA BY ATT'YS United States Patent Calif.

Filed Feb. 18, 1964, Ser. No. 345,623 7 Claims. (Cl. 297-217) This invention relates to an infant-supporting apparatus and, more particularly, to a cradle-seat type of device characterized by novel convenience and versatility, being particularly suited for infants of ages from about a few weeks to 3-4 years.

Contemporary living habits place a premium both on mobility and effcient use of compact domiciles. Available infant furniture has not served either of these ends there being required crades, highchairs, strollers, swings, toilet chairs, etc. These not only occupy considerable space, but present problems when the parents travel with the infant. Both ends are attained through the apparatus of the instant invention, and the provision of such apparatus constitutes, therefore, an object of this invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel infant-supporting apparatus which is uniquely convertible for multiple usage and which features readily attachable accessories which coact not only during installation, but at other times for convenient storage.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel cradle-seat equipped with canopy and tray and which can be readily converted from one usage to another, being characterized by advantageously articulatable parts and connections.

Other objects and advantages of this invention may be seen in the details of construction and operation set down in this specification.

The invention is explained in conjunction Withan illustrative embodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inventive apparatus, shown equipped with tray and canopy;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view, but in fragmentary form, taken generally from the front of the apparatus of FIG. 1, and with portions of the back pad released from the mounting shown in FIG. 1 so as to reveal additional details of construction;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view in exploded form of the back and canopy construction of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing details of the back portion of the support;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the seat portion of the support;

FIG. 6 is a reduced scale perspective view of the support in the process of being equipped with the accessory tray;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view in detail of the encircled portion of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged bottom seen in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the support of FIG. 2 but disposed in reclining position;

FIGS. 10 and 10A are perspective elevational views of the inventive support seen in different operative positrons;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a carton advantageously employed in packaging the inventive support and accessories;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 but showing the front panel closure of the carton in the process of being opened;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the carton of FIGS. 11

plan view of the tray 3,258,291 Patented June 28, 1966 and 12 but with all of the flaps open so as to reveal the interior contents;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the carton of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the carton of FIGS. 11-14 as seen along the sight line 1515 applied to FIG. 11.

In illustration given and with particular reference to FIG. 1, the numeral 20 designates generally the inventive support shown in chair-providing position and which is seen to be equipped with a metal rod frame or base generally designated 21. The support 20 is seen to be equipped with a tray generally designated 22 overlying a substantial portion of the seat but in vertical spaced relation thereto. The back portion 24 of the support is seen to be equipped with a canopy generally designated 23.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it is seen that the support 20 includes the back portion 24 which, in the view illustrated in FIG. 2, is disposed at a slight angle to the vertical. The support 20 also includes a seat portion 25 which extends generally perpendicularly to the back portion 24 and defines therewith a generally elongated L shape.

Along the two longitudinal sides of the support 20, i.e., along the sides of the back 24 and seat 25, are provided integral confining wings 26 and 27. As can be readily seen in FIG. 9, the wings 26 and 27 project forwardly of the support 20 to confine the infant, and also project along the rear side of the back where the wings are equipped with upwardly angled, aligned notches as at 28. Received in one pair of aligned notches 28 is a portion of one member 29 (best seen in FIG. 2) of the base frame 21. The member 29 is generally U-shaped, with the horizontal portion 30 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) extending between the aligned notches 28 in the wings 26 and 27. The U-member arms 31 extend downwardly and at their lower ends are equipped with laterally-extending stubs as at 32 for frictional receipt within a tubular sleeve 33.

The sleeve 33 additionally receives the base portions of second and third U-shaped members 34 and 35. The member 34 is seen to have a first arm portion 35 (see FIG. 1) which extends along the ground providing the contacting portion of the base 21. An upwardly angled second arm portion 36 is provided at the forward end of the first arm portion 35, and extending inwardly from the second arm portion 36 is a stub portion 37. The stub portion 37 is seen to be slidably received within a socket 38 of the wings 26 and 27 of the support 20.

The third U-shaped member 35 has arm portions 39 which are pivotally connected as at 40 to the stub portion 37 of the first member 34 (see FIG. 2). As viewed from the side, the members 34 and 35 form a triangular shape, developing substantial rigidity for the base 21.

Additionally, the sleeve 33 includes a fourth member 41 which is mounted within the sleeve 33 and which projects outwardly to the side, with the extremities being equipped with enlargements as at 42 for receipt of a stroller structure (not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 9, it is seen that relocation of the first member 29 to slots 28a results in a reclining or cradle-like position of the support 20. Reference to FIG. 10 reveals that the base 21 can be articulated and converted to a cradle-carriage by rotating the first member 29 over the front and top of the support 20 to develop the arrangement pictured in FIG. 10A where the sleeve 33 now serves as a carrying handle, being positioned above the support 20 as contrasted to below the support 20 in the other views already described.

Advantageously, the support 20 may be constructed of molded plastic as a unitary member. The first, second and third members 29, 34 land 35, respectively, as well as the straight member 41, are equally advantageously constructed of metal wire or rodding of the order of OD, suitably equipped with resilient plastic sleeves or bumpers as at 43 relative to the second member 34 land so designated in FIG. 9.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an enlarged detail of a portion of the wing 26 is seen, wherein the corner of the U-shaped member 29 is equipped with a bumper or sleeve 44, the corner being defined by the cross portion or base 30 of the first member 29, and the arm member 31. The wing 26 is seen to have a slot-equipped portion 26:: extending rearWardly from the essentially fiat back 24.

The seat portion of the support 20 is centrally apertured and supports a pot or vessel 45 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The vessel 45 is equipped with an annular lip as at 46 for properly supporting the remainder of the vessel 45 on the seat 25. The entire support 20 is covered with a fabric pad such as is designated generally by the numeral 47 in FIG. 2. The pad 47, like the support 20, includes back and seat portions, the black portion 48 being equipped with straps as at 49 (see FIG. 2) for engagement with one of the slots 28b (see FIG. 1) for securing the pad in place. The seat portion 50 of the pad 47 is pivotable upwardly so as to uncover the vessel 45 and is seen in this condition in FIG. 2. Referring now to FIG. 5, the seat portion 50 is equipped with a fabric cover 51 and an apertured base 52 all provided as part of the pad 47.

The back 24 of the support 20 is equipped with apertures 53 (see FIG. 2) which accommodate the insertion of a crossbar 54, the crossbar 54 having U-shaped hooks 55 at the ends thereof received within the apertures 53. The crossbar 54 provides a convenient anchor for straps or hooks employed for supporting the support on a swing, car seat, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it is seen that the back 20, adjacent its upper extremity, is equipped with an integral cross rib 55 and which perimetrically surrounds a slot 56 adapted to receive the hand of a person for moving the support from one place to another. The canopy 23 is seen to be equipped with a rectangular frame also made of wire rodding as at 47, and which is mainly covered by the fabric or .plastic material constituting the flexible portion 58 of the canopy 23. The rear side or end of the frame 57 is equipped with a U-shaped clamp which is generally designated by the numeral 59 and which is adapted to be moved into clamping relation over the back portion 24, the latter position being designated in dotted line in FIG. 3.

Additionally, the rear end or side of the frame 58 is defined by sleeves 60 pivota'lly relating or connecting the U-shaped clamp portion 59 with the stub ends 61 of the frame 57. Thus, the top of the canopy 23 can be pivoted through a vertical are such as is designated :by the numeral 62 applied to the dotted line showing at the central left-hand portion of FIG. 3. For this purpose, I can employ a steel or other metal sleeve suitably distorted for the purpose of providing a pivotal, frictional fit with the inserted rod portion.

The support 20 is also equipped with straps as at 63 and 64 (seeFIG. 2) for confining the infant, the straps 63 and 64 passing through suitable openings as at 65 in the support 20 (see FIG. 7). In operation, the support can be converted to the reclining position of FIG. 9 or the cradle condition of FIG. A merely by relocating the crossbar or base portion 30 of the first U-shaped member 29. Aiding in this relocation is the provision of the bumper 44, which achieves a press-fit with the slots 28 provided in the wings 26 and 27. When the support is converted to the FIG. 10A showing, the sleeve 33 previously employed as part of the supporting base now olTers a smooth surface for carrying the revised support.

Through the provision of the sleeve 33 and the bumpers 43, and further the enlarged projections 42, the base can be conveniently slid along the floor, ground, or other supporting surface without having to lift the device in moving it from place to place. Also facilitating the move ment from place to place is the detachable nature of the canopy 23. The sleeves 60, in addition to permitting the top 58 to be tilted depending upon the inclination of the support 20, also permit the U-shaped clamp 59 to be moved generally into coplanar relationship with the re mainder of the canopy frame 57. The clamp 59 is made of a single piece of bent, resilient wire, and the ends of the wire are juxtaposed end to end with the stub ends 61 of the frame 57-this juxtaposition being achieved through the sleeves 60, which may be constructed of split resilient metal tubing.

When desiring to store the assembly seen in FIG. 1, the parts can be collapsed and installed in the carton generally designated 66 in FIG. 11. The carton 66 includes a generally rectangular base portion 67 and an upper wedge-shaped portion 68, being closed by a front flap as at 69 (see particularly FIG. 12). In FIG. 13, not only is the top flap 69 open, but the side flaps 70 are swung to the open position, as is the end flap 71, to reveal the support 2!) installed in place, with the canopy 23 collapsed and mounted within the wings 26 and 27 of the support 20. Additionally, the tray 22 is collapsible for convenient insertion into the carton 66, particularly within the base rectangular portion 67.

In FIG. 14, the rear panel 72 of the carton 66 is seen, and the rear panel 72 is equipped with a horizontally elongated slot or carrying opening 73. The slot 73 is generally coincident with the support slot 74 (see also FIG. 2), so that the carton is maintained in a closed position while being carried from one place to another. For this purpose, the top or front flap 69 is equipped with a tab as at 75 (see FIGS. 12 and 13) which is insertable in an access opening 76 (see FIG. 13). The rear panel 72 is equipped with a tab along the upper edge of the slot 73 insertable into the slot 56 for locking the support 20 to the carton 66 when the same is being carried. For the purpose of accommodating the insertion of the tab 75, the side flaps 7d are notched as at 78 (see FIG. 13). The bottom of the carton 66 is seen in FIG. 15, with the various flaps provided in overlapping position and stapled or otherwise permanently joined together.

The operation of the tray 22 can be best appreciated from a consideration of FIGS. 6-8. In FIG. 6, the tray is seen to include a platform 79 constructed of fairly rigid plastic material and which, on the undersurface thereof (see FIG. 8), is equipped with two pairs of depending L-shaped lugs 80 and 81. The lugs 80 project lateral-1y outwardly, having vertical portions as at 82 so as to receive a first arm portion 83 of the U-shaped frame 84. The lugs 81 project inwardly by virtue of having the connective portion 85 outwardly of the arm portion 83. Each first arm portion 83 is connected by means of a resilient split sleeve 86 to a second arm portion 87 which permits the arm portions 87 to be pivoted for folding collapse when the same is placed in the carton 66. The terminal portions 88 of the second arm portion 87 are Z-sha'ped as at 89 for receipt within horizontally elongated slots 90 provided in the wings 26 and 27 (see FIG. 7). When the arm portions 87 are positioned as seen in FIG. 6, the Z-shaped portions 89 are readily insertable into the elongated slots 90, after which pivoting of the platform 79 into operating position locks the Z-shaped hook portions 89 in the slots 90 against accidental removal. Further rigidity of the tray and lack of accidentally detaching is afforded through intermediate U-shaped hook portions 91 provided on the first arm portions 83. The hook portions 91 are readily anchored underneath the laterallyextending lip or flange 92 provided on the win-gs 26 and 27 (see FIG. 9). The crossbar portion 93 of the U-shaped frame member 84 engages one of a plurality of ribs or notches 94 (see FIG. 8) provided on the underside of the platform 79. Thus, it is possible to accommodate the tray 22 to various-sized infants.

It will be seen that the arrangement of the lugs 80 and 81 tends to rigidify a portion of the U-shaped member 84, and, in combination with the notches or ribs 94, firmly position the tray 79 in a desired condition relative to the infant. The hook portions 91 restrict the tray from upward pivotal movement which might tend to disengage the Z-shaped hooks 89 at the ends of the terminal portions 88. At the same time, however, the terminal portions 88 are readily pivoted into a generally coplanar relationship with the remainder of the tray 22 so as to facilitate loading in the carton 66 in the form seen in FIGS. 12 and 13.

While in the foregoing specification a detailed description of an embodiment of the invention has been set down for the purpose of illustration, many variations in the details herein given may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In infant-supporting apparatus, an elongated, generally L-shaped support defining back and seat portions and having longitudinally extending side wings for confining an infant on said support and for engaging a base, an articu latable base constructed of formed rodding releasably and positionably connected to said wings, and a tray releasably and positionably connected to said wings, said tray comprising a relatively rigid platform and a U-shaped tray base constructed of resilient rod material, said tray base being formed with integral hook portions for connection to both of said wings at the back and seat portions thereof, said hook portions for connection to the back portion wings including Z-shaped ends on said tray base, said back portion wings being equipped with elongated slots in which said Z-shaped ends are removably mounted, said hook portions for connection to the seat portion wings including U-shaped hooks formed in said tray base by bending the rod material on itself, said wings being equipped with integral flanges along the upper longitudinal sides for engagement by said U-shaped hooks, said tray platform being equipped with two pairs of depending L-shaped lugs on the bottom side thereof, said tray base being confined within said lugs, said lugs, when said tray is installed on said support, being generally disposed between said wings, said tray platform being equipped with a series of integral notches on the bottom side thereof for positionably engaging said tray base.

2. In infant-supporting apparatus, an elongated, generally L-shaped support defining back and seat portions and having longitudinally extending side wings for confining an infant on said support and for engaging a base, an articulatable base constructed of formed rodding releasably and positionably connected to said wings, and a tray releasably and positionably connected to said wings, said tray comprising a relatively rigid platform and a U-shaped tray base constructed of resilient rod material, said tray base being formed with integral hook portions for connection to both of said wings at the back and seat portions thereof, said hook portions for connection to the back portion wings including Z-shaped ends on said tray base, said back portion wings being equipped with elongated slots in which said Z-shaped ends are removably mounted, said hook portions for connection to the seat portion wings including U-shaped hooks formed in said tray base by bending the rod material on itself, said wings being equipped with integral flanges along the upper longitudinal sides for engagement by said U-shaped hooks, said U-shaped tray base defining arms extending generally parallel to said wings when installed on said support, said U-shaped tray base defining arms extending generally parallel to said wings when installed on said support, said arms being equipped with friction sleeves and said arms each including two portions frictionally and rotatably mounted in the associated sleeve, whereby said arms are rotatable generally in the plane of said tray for compact storage.

3. An infant-supporting apparatus unit, comprising in combination a generally wedge-shaped carton, an elongated, generally L-shaped support defining back and seat portions and having longitudinally-extending side wings for confining an infant on said support and for engaging a base, an articulatable base constructed of formed rodding releasably and positionably connected to said wings, said base comprising three rod members each formed into a U and a tubular journal articulatably connecting said members, one of said members being adapted to engage said wings and the back portion of said support, said other two members being pivotally connected to said wings on the seat portion of said support, said other two members forming with each other triangular braces on each side of said support, said base being foldable over said back portion for compact storage, a tray releasably and positionably connected to said wings, said tray com prising a platform and a U-shaped tray base constructed of resilient rod material, said tray base being formed with integral portions for connection to both of said wings at the back and seat portions thereof, said U-shaped tray base having pivoted end portions for folding the same into a compact arrangement for storage, and a canopy releasably and positionably connected to said back portion, said canopy comprising a canopy frame constructed of resilient rod material of generally open, rectangular shape, a flexible cover ensleeved over said canopy frame and exposing one side of said frame, said one side having formed therein a U-shaped clamp portion removably received on said back portion, said one side of said canopy frame being equipped with a sleeve on opposite sides of said U-shaped clamp portion and said one side being constructed with two parts for each sleeve and rotatably, frictionally received therein, whereby said clamp portion is pivotable generally into the plane of said canopy frame for storage, said support, canopy and tray being collapsibly housed in said carton to provide a single unit, both said carton and support back being equipped with elongated slots, said slots being aligned for convenient carrying of said carton.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which said carton is equipped with a tab insertable into said carton, said carton being eqiupped with a tab foldable into the support back portion slot for locking the carton in closed, carrying position.

5. In infant-supporting apparatus, an elongated, generally L-shaped support defining back and seat portions and having longitudinally-extending side wings for confining an infant on said support and for engaging a base, an articulatable base constructed of formed rodding releasably and positionably connected to said wings, and a tray releasably and positionably connected to said wings, said tray comprising a relatively rigid platform and a U- shaped tray base constructed of resilient rod material, said tray base being formed with integral hook portions for connection to both of said wings at the back and seat portions thereof, said tray being equipped on its underside with a series of transversely extending notches, said U-shaped base being positionably mounted in one of said notches, and confining means spaced transversely gf said notches for resiliently confining said U-shaped ase.

6. In infant-supporting apparatus, an elongated, gen erally L-shaped support defining back and seat portions and having longitudinally-extending side wings for confining an infant on said support and for engaging a base, an articulatable base constructed of formed rodding releasably and positionably connected to said wings, and a canopy releasably and positionably connected to said back portion, said canopy comprising a canopy frame constructed of resilient rod material of generally open, rectangular shape, a flexible cover ensleeved over said canopy frame and exposing one side of said frame, said one side having formed therein a U-shaped clamp portion removably received on said back portion, said frame one side being equipped with a sleeve on opposite sides of said U-shaped portion and said one side being constructed with two parts for each sleeve and rotatably, frictionally received therein, whereby said canopy is pivotally related to said back portion for different dispositions relative thereto when installed, and for moving said U-shaped clamp portion into generally coplanar relation with the remainder of said canopy frame for storage, said back portion being equipped with a generally rectangular slot in the upper part thereof serving as a hand grip, said U-shaped clamp being generally perimetrically related to said slot when said canopy is mounted on said back portion.

7. The structure of claim 6 in which said support is constructed of relatively rigid plastic material, said back portion being equipped with an integral rib aligned with and generally bisected by said slot for reinforcing said back portion and cooperating with said clamp for frictionally securing said canopy in place.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Dicks 297184 X Chrisman 4134 X Abrahams et a1. 297184 X Brown 4134 Copp 297255 X Davis 232-17 Clairmonte et al. 297130 X Gallagher 297377 X King 297153 X Bahr 297153 X Laughlin 297377 Berlin 297254 X France.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

J. T. MCCALL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN INFANT-SUPPORTING APPARATUS, AN ELONGATED, GENERALLY L-SHAPED SUPPORT DEFINING BACK AND SEAT PORTIONS AND HAVING LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SIDE WINGS FOR CONFINING AN INFANT ON SAID SUPPORT AND FOR ENGAGING A BASE, AN ARTICULATABLE BASE CONSTRUCTED OF FORMED RODDING RELEASABLY AND POSITIONABLY CONNECTED TO SAID WINGS, AND A TRAY RELEASABLY AND POSITIONABLY CONNECTED TO SAID WINGS, SAID TRAY COMPRISING A RELATIVELY RIGID PLATFORM AND A U-SHAPED TRAY BASE CONSTRUCTED OF RESILIENT ROD MATERIAL, SAID TRAY BASE BEING FORMED WITH INTEGRAL HOOK PORTIONS FOR CONNECTION TO BOTH OF SAID WINGS AT THE BACK AND SEAT PORTIONS THEREOF, SAID HOOK PORTIONS FOR CONNECTION TO THE BACK PORTION WINGS INCLUDING Z-SHAPED ENDS ON SAID TRAY BASE, SAID BACK PORTION WINGS BEING EQUIPPED WITH ELONGATED SLOTS IN WHICH SAID Z-SHAPED ENDS ARE REMOVABLY MOUNTED, SAID HOOK PORTIONS FOR CONNECTION TO THE SEAT PORTIN WINGS INCLUDING U-SHAPED HOOKS FORMED IN SAID TRAY BASE BY BENDING THE ROD MATERIAL ON ITSELF, SAID WINGS BEING EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRAL FLANGES ALONG THE UPPER LONGITUDINAL SIDES FOR ENGAGEMENT BY SAID U-SHAPED HOOKS, SAID TRAY PLATFORM BEING EQUIPPED WITH TWO PAIRS OF DEPENDING L-SHAPED LUGS ON THE BOTTOM SIDE THEREOF, SAID TRAY BASE BEING CONFINED WITHIN SAID LUGS, SAID LUGS, WHEN SAID TRAY IS INSTALLED ON SAID SUPPORT, BEING GENERALLY DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID WINGS, SAID TRAY PLATFORM BEING EQUIPPED WITH A SERIES OF INTEGRAL NOTCHES ON THE BOTTOM SIDE THEREOF FOR POSITIONABLY ENGAGING SAID TRAY BASE. 